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March 8th, 2021
March is National Women’s History Month. It is celebrated every March to honor women’s contribution to society.
It started as a local celebration in Santa Rosa, Calif., in 1978. March was selected because March 8 was International Women’s Day. Following 1978, many other communities began having similar celebrations. Finally, in February of 1980, several women’s groups were able to successfully lobby for national recognition.
President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation establishing the week of March 8, 1980, as National Women’s History Week. He went on to say, “From the first settlers who came to our shores, from the first American Indian families who befriended them, men and women have worked together to build this nation. Too often the women were unsung and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed. But the achievements, leadership, courage, strength and love of the women who built America was as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well.”
Women have played a very important role in building and shaping America. There are so many women to be thankful for as we celebrate National Women’s History Month, so don’t forget to celebrate all the wonderful women who have contributed both large and small to our nation. I know I will.
I will especially remember my late grandmother, Velma Riggs, whom I love and miss very much. She was the first woman to serve on the City Council in Moundsville, West Virginia. She was first elected to serve in July of 1977 and went on to serve subsequent terms. She also served, for a period of time, as the Director for the Marshall County Children’s Shelter in West Virginia. She was extraordinary and served her community well throughout her lifetime. She was one of nine children and only completed the seventh grade, but always found ways to educate herself. She was a smart and amazing woman who I always looked up to, so I will definitely be thinking of her during National Women’s History Month.
So, please join me in celebrating all the wonderful women out there and all of their accomplishments.
Happy National Women’s History Month!
